guncotton

[ guhn-kot-n ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a highly explosive nitrocellulose, made by breaking down clean cotton in a mixture of one part nitric acid and three parts sulfuric acid: used in making smokeless powder.

guncotton

/ ˈɡʌnˌkɒtən /

cellulose nitrate containing a relatively large amount of nitrogen: used as an explosive

First recorded in 1840–50; gun ¹ + cotton

And suddenly Guncotton produced his will-o-the-wisp trick, which completed the illusion.

These are crumbling in places, and the Pioneers might destroy the bastion and breach the wall with a bag or two of guncotton.

The soldiers formed a square round the gun, charged it with guncotton, shouted 'Stand back!'

For this purpose electric fuzes (for powder) or electric detonators (for guncotton or other high explosive) are employed.

Some very good bombs were made from jam-tins with a wad of guncotton, and filled up with all manner of missiles.

April 20, 2024flabbergast

[flab-er-gast ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse